A landmark museum that casts light on the lives of members of the Chinese-American diaspora, the Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA) is a must-visit for anyone wishing to learn more about the community in New York City’s Chinatown. Boasting a collection of more than 85,000 objects—which range from photographs and historic documents to clothing and other artifacts—this intimate and accessible museum also hosts temporary exhibitions, author talks, and musical performances that further bring the area’s history to life.
MOCA is easy to visit during an independent day out in Chinatown and Lower Manhattan. It also features on a number of New York sightseeing excursions—including Chinatown walking tours—and is included in the cost-saving New York Pass scheme, which offers discounted admission to a range of museums and cultural institutions.
The museum is completely accessible to wheelchair users and those with limited mobility.
Flash photography and mobile phone conversations are not permitted at the museum.
The museum does not currently operate a café, and food and drinks are not allowed.
Baby strollers are welcome in the museum.
The Museum of Chinese in America is located on Centre Street on the northern edge of Chinatown. If using the subway, take the N, Q, R, or W; the J or Z; or the 6 to their respective Canal Street stations, all of which are just a short walk away. You can also take the B and D to nearby Grand Street. Alternatively, bikes, taxis, and rideshare services also make getting to the museum easy.
The Museum of Chinese in America is open Wednesday–Sunday. Though the museum is generally operating from morning to early evening, on Thursdays it opens early in the afternoon and closes later in the evening; and on Sundays, it closes late in the afternoon. MOCA is closed annually on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.
Once you’ve visited the Museum of Chinese in America, don’t end your Chinatown excursion there. You can continue to neighborhood landmarks like Columbus Park and the Mahayana Buddhist Temple (home to the city’s largest Buddha statue), shop for gifts at the Pearl River Mart flagship store, and dine on everything from dumplings and hand-pulled noodles to Peking duck and egg yolk buns.
